Sultan Abdullah inspecting the guard of honour during the opening ceremony of the second session of the 14th Parliament in March 2019. — AZHAR MAHFOF/The star
Stories by Ong Han Seanhansean@thestar.com.myAl-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah’s reign is certainly not without its challenges as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong had to steer the country through multiple political crises.
His Majesty’s reign saw an unprecedented resignation of two prime ministers, the collapse of two governments and the establishment of a new unity government. Four prime ministers also served during the five years Sultan Abdullah was on the throne.
“Etched in the nation’s history, I am the only King who reigned with four prime ministers and four different Cabinets,” said Sultan Abdullah of his reign at the opening of the 15th Parliament last year.
Their Majesties leave after the opening ceremony of the second session of the 14th Parliament.
It all began when Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad resigned as the seventh prime minister on Feb 24, 2020, which caused the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan government.
A period of political upheaval subsequently followed as factions scrambled for support to form the next government. This culminated with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong appointing Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as the eighth prime minister on March 1, 2020 after finding that he had secured the majority support in Parliament.There should be relief that the turmoil had passed but despite Sultan Abdullah’s hopes, Muhyiddin ended up resigning on Aug 16, 2021.
“This means that I was once again forced to bear the heavy burden of choosing and appointing a new prime minister,” said the King.
Sultan Abdullah subsequently appointed Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob as the ninth prime minister on Aug 21, 2021, after the Bera MP obtained a majority of parliamentary support.
On Oct 10, 2022, Sultan Abdullah consented to Ismail Sabri’s request to dissolve Parliament, paving the way for the 15th General Election (GE15).
Sultan Abdullah greeting media practitioners who were camping in frontof Istana Negara to follow the current political developments after Ge15.— AZLINA ABDULLAH/The Star
However, another political conundrum happened as none of the parties and coalitions had the clear majority to form the government.
“After the GE15 concluded, for the first time in Malaysia’s democratic history, the country was faced with a hung parliament situation. Once again, I had taken on the heavy task of choosing and appointing another prime minister,” said the King.
As days of uncertainty followed, Al-Sultan Abdullah had to summon the leaders of the political parties and persuade them to put aside their differences and form a unity government.
The King said he gave ample room for the elected MPs to work together and find a consensus based on the principles of unity for the future of the country.
Eventually, Pakatan Harapan chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim gained the commitment of a majority of MPs to support the formation of the unity government.
Sultan Abdullah presenting Anwar Ibrahim with the royal decree at the opening of the 15th Parliament. — Bernama
His Majesty thus consented to the appointment of Anwar as the 10th Prime Minister of Malaysia.
“I hope that the 10th Prime Minister will be the last for me, before I return to Pahang Darul Makmur,” Sultan Abdullah said.
His Majesty added that he was merely carrying out his duties as King and had no intention of interfering in national politics. Sultan Abdullah’s deft hand and wisdom at handling the political crises during his reign had earned him plaudits from his peers, leaders and the public.
Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Almarhum Sultan Iskandar, who will take up the position of Yang di-Pertuan Agong next, said Sultan Abdullah successfully resolved several challenging issues in negotiations with political leaders and with the Rulers.
“His Majesty’s success is not only through resolving the political crisis but also in caring for the people,” Sultan Ibrahim said when presiding over the Conference of Rulers meeting last year.
Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi also praised Sultan Abdullah for his unity government idea.
“His Majesty had carried out his role justly and with much wisdom – as written in the Federal Constitution – to ensure a government was formed by taking into account views of all parties.
“The unity government was His Majesty’s manifestation of the spirit of tolerance and cooperation. He sought to nurture understanding, put aside differences for the sake of building a harmonious, inclusive nation,” Ahmad Zahid reportedly said.
Nevertheless, Sultan Abdullah felt the political turmoil that lasted until GE15 could have been avoided if the episodes leading to the resignation of the seventh prime minister did not happen.
“More importantly, the political crisis that plagued the country for nearly four years could have been avoided if elected representatives and politicians were ready to set aside their differences and unite for the people and the country we loved,” said the King.
